Fortuna worked tirelessly to open a gate into the divine realm. While opening a path for a single entity was as quick as a mere blink, it was a whole different beast to open a large gate for an army that she assumed Cedric would send into the lands of chalk.
Her whole form glowed as she shed her avatar; her [Incorporeal Existence] was necessary to establish a connection. She stretched her hands forward, and a massive amount of divine light coalesced in a ball in front of her.
The process was almost completed; she had never attempted to open a gate for anyone other than herself, but this was not the time for anxiety. The moment the gateway was opened, Cedric and his Angels would make sure that the reign of Chrunus would reach its long-overdue conclusion.
Behind her, one entity observed her with keen interest. Cedric, Raguel, and Octavia, the girl who vaguely reminded her of herself, were gone, but it did not matter, as long as Cedric and his Angels helped her.
Who remained with her for the entirety of the gateway creation process was the silver-haired girl whom she swore to serve in exchange for support. Yet she seemed not to care about her that much.
In a way, it saddened her, but at the same time, there were more important things to deal with than being Ariel's property.
While the supremely powerful trio merely observed her, Ariel occasionally approached and chatted with her. It was something she did not mind; the girl, despite how she treated her when they first met, was rather gentle.
Much like many times before, Ariel leaned closer to her, "So Fortuna, what are your opinions on... demons?" Ariel grinned, her question aimed at probing how well she was aligned with Cedric's forces.
"Do you mean, demi-humans, Lady Ariel? I am very much indifferent to them. They used to worship us gods, too, but it changed once the so-called Grand Emperor rose to power. Yet since Chrunus forbade us from having followers, we had no reason to be angry at them."
Ariel nodded, "It seems even gods don't address them by their real race."
Fortuna turned to Ariel, her hands still stuck in channeling position. "I've never seen someone refer to them as 'Demons' is it exclusive to you, Angels?"
"I am starting to think so. But it does not matter, after Chrunus is dead, you will support us in purging them."
Fortuna's eyes widened. Ariel had just told her that she was to help with the genocide of the demihumans. Of course, she did not care much about the mortals, as long as Chrunus was dead, it was only natural that she would participate.
In addition, she had sworn that she would serve Ariel or Cedric with her whole being, no matter what they wanted to do with her as long as Chrunus was dead. "Of course, Lady Ariel. I swore that as long as Chrunus falls, I will surrender my body and soul to you! If that means you wish to use me as a weapon, then so be it!"
"I assumed you fought to gain your freedom? Why are so so keen on giving it away?"
"You misunderstand, my Lady. I want freedom for my sisters who did not deserve enslavement by Chrunus. If my freedom is enough to pay for them, then I will not protest."
Ariel giggled. She placed her hand onto her mouth as she forced down her laughter. "Very noble... I did not expect that."
Fortuna pouted slightly, "What did you expect? Just because I am a goddess doesn't mean that I am arrogant. I know fully well when I need to make sacrifices for the greater good."
"You will make a fine saintess soon. I can tell. Don't worry, anyone so willing to serve Dad deserves their freedom." Ariel smiled, yet not with sadistic glee but with actual warmth.
"...Yet, I suppose you WANT to be restricted, huh?~ Divine Masochist." Ariel took a step back.
Fortuna blushed before she turned her head towards the coalescing light.
"A goddess is shy, huh... I get it." Ariel giggled. She circled around Fortuna before locking her gaze on the gateway.
"I must thank you again..." Fortuna muttered under her breath.
Ariel pretended not to hear her as she stared at the gateway. "How long?"
"Almost done. I will open the gate in my domain, far away from the tyrant's gaze." Fortuna focused, and her face wore a serious expression.
The ball of light unravelled. The strings of light stretched, forming a net of light very reminiscent of Holy light, yet it was different nature. Like a spider web of light it stretched 10 meters in each direction before finally stopping.
Soon after the web melted, the light spread and took over the empty spaces within the hollow structure. In a moment entire surface was something that resembled a calm water surface.
Then it rippled. As if someone threw a stone at a calm lake, the surface was broken, and the golden color faded. Soon, the ripple revealed a clear window into the Divine Realm, now known as the Lands of Chalk.
Fortuna clenched her fists before she sighed in relief, "It is done!"
Clap.Clap.Clap
"Great job! I will contact Dad right away. The Angel legions should be arriving shortly, too."
As if on cue, the flood of Silver appeared on the horizon. Tens of thousands of Guardians approached. Their forms covered the very ground, which gave them the illusion of a silver ocean.
Fortuna's face lit up with joy. A massive Army would attack Chrunus in mere moments. While the army itself, no matter how numerous, was inconsequential, it was the fact that an entity as powerful as Chrunus was supporting them.
The divine Realm was bound to be decimated by their clash, yet it was in such a state that she did not care. As long as Chrunus was gone, they would rebuild their home once again.